Adolescent Discovered Deceased After False Allegations of Taking Cremated Remains
A 14-year-old boy was found dead only a few days after being wrongly accused of taking the cremated remains of a deceased baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.
Heartbreaking Discovery
Kai Lloyd's mother and father discovered his remains in his room at his Connah's Quay home on November 19th, 2021.
Untrue Allegations Begin
The investigation heard how his mother received a communication on 8 November 2021 via online platforms, from a woman inquiring if her son was her offspring. The message stated: "Inform him appreciation for breaking into my apartment."
In a testimony read to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the individual had been in the media, claiming her infant's ashes had been taken in a burglary - a allegation which was false.
Police Investigation
An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged break-in complainant had "provided false information" and "it now appears that the items was not taken in the first place".
News coverage about the supposed taken ashes attracted online comments, and although the teenager was not identified in the posts, his mother said individuals "knew it was him".
The "social media content were extremely distressing", she said.
Mental Health Effect
She added that her son had been diagnosed with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that condition, other peoples' views genuinely were important to him.
"This must have hurt him deeply," she commented, "particularly when this was not true".
The teenager was detained at his residence, but no evidence was discovered. He was taken to a police station and later freed pending further inquiry.
Police said they would be in touch, the hearing heard, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his passing.
Isolation and Anxiety
His parent said her son "became isolated" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the police", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could seem like much longer".
When she talked to him about the alleged incident, she said her son informed her he had gone into the house because the woman who lived there had said he could use the toilet whenever he wanted, but denied removing anything.
Online Bullying
In a joint statement between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her child was being bullied digitally after the accusations.
The proceedings heard that one young adult urged Kai to end his life.
She had no worries on the evening before he died, describing how she had listened to him "chuckling and teasing".
She portrayed him as a "caring, loving" young man, and said her "relatives is completely shattered".
He had been "clearly concealing his concerns", she said, noting that he could not bear to have anybody "have negative thoughts of him".
School Response
The hearing received testimony from educational staff at Connah's Quay secondary school.
On November 8th, she "heard some students discussing that Kai had been arrested and that was the initial I heard".
"He told me... he'd was innocent," she continued.
After the conversation, the staff member said she rang Kai's parents' landline and left a voicemail saying she had communicated to Kai about the allegations.
The court heard his family said they never got that message.
Formal Conclusion
Lead investigator informed the hearing he would await reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling suspects with the condition, before determining whether he should make a prevention of subsequent deaths report.
Providing a descriptive conclusion, he stated: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated accusations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a young individual.
"Likely untruths were afterwards exaggerated and amplified through the platform of social media.
"On November 11th, he was interviewed by the police and after his questioning he was released whilst investigations continued."
The coroner concluded: "Exists no evidence that the actions or omissions of any organization led to or contributed to his death and although it was the outcome of a self-inflicted act it is not possible to determine his intent."